Presented here is the Tama 3551. These number codes were
in use before the final model names such as 8, 10 and 15.
The Tama plant already made their iconic steel strings at that
time. We will discuss this model as the cooperation between
Masaru Kohno, Juan Orozco and Sakurai started later and
probably some differences between this model and the final
models will be discussed.
What immediately was strange to me is the mentioned price
for this model 3551 when compared to the later 8, 10 and 15
models. I used the so called unofficial Tama site, sometimes
better known as the Hufschlag site: An interesting source!
http://www.hufschlag.info/html/tama_main.html
This 3551 model was in January 1978 priced at 1258 DM
in USD 595,- The model 3552, at first presumably higher
in rank, was listed for USD 275,- And to make it complete,
the models 3553, 3554 and 3555 were listed at USD 245,-
USD 275,- and USD 295,- Conclusion can be that this
model 3551 was their highest model at that time. In fact
the roses engraved tuners with the butterfly buttons are
pointing in the direction of the later model 10 and 15.
Consulting AI, they gave up the story that when the collaboration
between Kohno, Orozco and Sakurai took place, production methods
were "streamlined" in order to speed up processes and thus make
more profit on still a very good product. We will discuss further
differences between the Juan Orozco model 10 I have in my
possession compared to the Tama 3551. The remark should be
made that the Juan Orozco model 10 was priced at about 2400
DM in april 1982. Prices in Japan have gone up drastically
in the seventies already.
